One-dimensional ceramic oxide superconductors

ABSTRACT

This application describes ceramic oxide superconductors, their precursors and methods of preparation. The superconductors contain no copper, but comprise the transition metals Nickel or Cobalt (M T ) together with bulky cations of Groups 2 and 1 of the Periodic Table (M 2+  and M 1+ ) such as Ba 2+  and K 1+ . Their hexagonal crystal structure comprises parallel chains of highly covalent, octahedrally coordinated oxygen around the transition metal, which exhibits its highest valence +4. The octahedra are facet-linked forming polyacid chains or macroanions that run the full length of crystallites or single crystals along the c axis. The chains are separated by distances that prevent covalency or orbital overlap among them. They are held together by coulombic forces from the cations located between them that also run parallel to the c axis. Electrical current, carried by holes, can only flow within the chains. Thus the materials are one-dimensional superconductors of composition M 2+   (1-x) M 1+   x M T O 3-δ .

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applications No. 60/441,129, filed Jan. 21, 2003, and No. 60/378,077, filed May 16, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to high critical temperature, ceramic, oxide superconductors comprising one transition metal, one metal of Group 2 of the Periodic Table and one metal of Group 1 of the Periodic Table. A key distinctive feature of the products of this invention is the hexagonal crystal symmetry of their structure that comprises highly covalent oxide chains containing the transition metal. The chains are parallel to the c axis. More specifically the superconductors of this invention comprise the transition metals nickel or cobalt. They may be prepared in powder form, in polycrystalline compacts, in dense polycrystalline aggregates and in single crystals.

The invention also relates to processes to prepare the superconductors in each of the above mentioned forms.

In another specific embodiment the invention relates to precursors of the superconductors and their preparation.

Superconductors are useful materials that find applications in magnetic, electric and electronic applications such as high flux electromagnets, magnetic instrumentation, transmission lines, levitation phenomena, storage of electrical energy, etc.

2 Description of the Previously Published Art.

2.1 High Critical Temperature Ceramic Oxide Superconductors.

Superconductivity is the property of materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled to or below a temperature called the critical temperature (T_(c)). It was discovered by H. Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911 using the extremely low temperature of liquid helium. For many decades superconductivity remained a laboratory curiosity with no extensive practical applications because of the very low temperatures required to achieve it in metals, metallic alloys and binary metallic compounds.

In the 1970's superconductivity was observed in perovskite metal oxides structures. By 1975 A. W. Sleight and coworkers found that in BaPbO₃ (barium plumbate) which is a perovskite-type oxide, 5 to 30% substitution of Bi for Pb induces superconductivity. These findings did not receive much attention from the scientific community possibly because of their low T_(c).

In 1986 a major breakthrough was achieved by T. G. Bednorz and K. A. Müller (Z. Phys. 1986, B64, 189) with the discovery of a complex ceramic oxide that becomes a superconductor at about 30 K. The material was a complex oxide of lanthanum, barium and copper, with perovskite-related symmetry (tetragonal with space group I4/mmm) and having a composition of La_(1.85)Ba_(0.15)CuO₄  Formula 1 This impressive result was immediately followed up by much research throughout the world, and by 1987 the isostructural superconductor La_(1.85)Sr_(0.15)CuO₄ with a T_(c) of about 37 K was prepared by J. M. Tarascon et al. (Science, 1987, 235, 1373). Also that year C. W. Chu et al (Science 235, 567-569 (1987)) prepared the superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (called 1-2-3 because of the atomic ratios of the metals) with a T_(c) of about 93 K, which is higher than the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. This development was both a major scientific and a technological breakthrough because superconductivity was achieved for the first time using a practical and readily available coolant that opened a wide field of applications.

During the last 15 years, scientists have made many variations of, and advances over the original material, with increases in T_(c) to about 128 K (Tl₂Ca₂Ba₂Cu₃O₁₀).

In order to clearly describe materials and avoid confusion, the specific meaning of certain terms used in this application, will be defined next.

The term “parent” is used to refer to oxide compounds consisting chemically of a transition metal oxide and an ionic metal oxide such as for example La₂CuO₄.

The term “main cation” refers to the ionic metal cation in the parent material such as for example La³⁺.

The term “doping” and related terms such as “dopant”, “doped”, etc., refer to the replacement in the crystal structure, on a one for one atomic basis, of part of the main cation, by cations of different but fix valence for example Ba²⁺ in La_(1.85)Ba_(0.15)CuO₄.

The new material discovered by Bednorz and Müller lead to the new superconductor class referred to as high-T_(c) ceramic, oxide superconductors. The series of complex oxides prepared in their work may be visualized as descendants from the parent oxide lanthanum cuprate (La₂CuO₄) after doping with barium. The series may be represented by the variable formula: La_((2-x))Ba_(x)CuO₄  Formula 2 in which x ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.25. In this range the doping, either with Ba or Sr does not affect the tetragonal symmetry (space group I4/mmm) of the parent lanthanum cuprate, although it slightly changes the unit cell dimensions. The most significant discovery was that starting in the range of about x=0.05 to about x=0.10 the doped materials became low T_(c) superconductors. As x increased so did T_(c) up to x=0.15. At this point the T_(c) became about 30 K. Beyond x=0.15 the materials, while remaining superconductors, decreased in T_(c).

Detailed studies of the crystal structure revealed that all the superconductors of the barium series, as well as the isostructural members of the strontium series consist of alternating charged layers of opposite sign. One type of layer is a covalent square planar array with a composition of [CuO_(4/2)] or [CuO₂] located next to parallel ionic layers with a composition of [La_((2-x))Ba_(x)O₂]. The average charge density of the ionic layer is readily calculable from the composition and valence of its constituent ions. It is +(2−x) per [La_((2-x))Ba_(x)O₂]. For the [CuO₂] covalent layer the average charge density must become −(2−x) in order to maintain overall crystal neutrality.

It is interesting to note that the charge density of the [CuO₂] covalent layer goes from −2 for the parent material La₂CuO₄ to −(2−x) for any of the doped members of the series and that the [CuO₂] layer undergoes oxidation as x increases. In this progression the parent material undergoes a transition from insulator to superconductors. The resulting T_(c)'s are in some unknown manner a function of the degree of oxidation of the covalent [CuO₂] plane.

Work to better understand these observations lead to some fundamental questions regarding the oxidation of the [CuO₂] layers.

Does it result in the oxidation of Cu²⁺ to Cu³⁺ or in the oxidation of O²⁻ to O¹⁻ to form electron holes?

-   -   Is it possible that both elements undergo oxidation and that         there exist an equilibrium between the four possible valences?         (Cu²⁺, Cu³⁺, O²⁻ and O¹⁻).     -   In the latter case, which one is the predominant oxidized         element, Cu³⁺ or O^(1−?)

This matter was studied using Hall effect measurements and other techniques that showed that the great majority of the electrical carriers are O¹⁻ holes.

Regarding electrical conductivity, the present accepted view is that the holes move in the two-dimensional [CuO₂] layers.

These data are in sharp contrast with the behavior of earlier metallic superconductors in which electrons carried the current in three, not two dimensions.

On another matter, the negative results of hundreds of studies done all over the world over the last 15 years or so using transition metals other than copper lead to the empirical “inference” that only ceramic materials comprising copper oxide yield high T_(c) superconductors.

Another interesting point worth noting on the work of the last 15 years or so is that during that period no high-T_(c), “one-dimensional” ceramic oxide superconductor has been reported.

From a theoretical point of view, the fundamental reasons for the cuprates to become high-T_(c) superconductors are not as yet fully understood. The BCS (Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer) theory, which accounts for superconductivity in metals, metal alloys and binary metal compounds in three dimensions does not account for the high-T_(c) superconductors based on [CuO₂] that conduct electricity in only two dimensions.

2.2. The ceramic Barium Oxide-Nickel Oxide System

The following is a brief review of the work on the ceramic BaO—NiO system for materials with a Ba to Ni atomic ratio of 1.

None of the prior art involves superconductors.

The significant references follow.

-   -   The Phase System BaO—NiO. J. J. Lander (J. Amer. Chem. Soc.         1951, Vol. 73, p. 2450). (Ref. Lander JACS)     -   Barium-Nickel Oxides with Tri- and Tetravalent Nickel. J. J.         Lander and L. A. Wooten (J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1951, Vol. 73, p.         2452). (Ref. Lander et al. JACS)     -   The crystal Structure of NiO.3BaO, NiO.BaO, BaNiO3 and         Intermediate Phases . . . J. J. Lander “Acta Cryst. (1951)         4, 148. (Ref. Lander Acta. Cryst.)     -   The Crystal Structure of BaNiO₃. Takeda et al. Acta         Cryst. (1976) B32, 2464. (Ref. Takeda 1976).

The work of Lander et al. included a series of compositions ranging between BaNiO₂ (divalent nickel) and BaNiO₃ (tetravalent nickel).

The crystal structure of BaNiO₂ was determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques (rotation photographs, back-reflection Laue patterns and powder patterns). It is orthorhombic but the Laue pattern obtained with the radiation parallel to the c_(o) axis was found to have six-fold symmetry. Moreover the ratio of b_(o) to a_(o) was close to the value of {square root}3 indicating a pseudo-hexagonal structure.

The crystal structure of BaNiO₃ was determined by the powder XRD method and its pattern was readily indexed as hexagonal. Table I shows the key structural parameters of the BaNiO₂ and BaNi0 ₃ crystalline phases. TABLE I Formula Symmetry ao (Å) bo (Å) co (Å) V (Å)³ Z γ-Angle BaNiO₂ Ortho- 5.73 9.20 4.73 249 4   90° rhombic BaNiO₂ Pseudo- 5.42 — 4.73 125 2 63.8° Hexagonal BaNiO₃ Hexagonal 5.629 — 4.811 132 2   60°

Three other materials were prepared with intermediate compositions between the two end products. They reported data for the reversible sequence shown next: BaNiO₃

Ba₄Ni₄O₁₁

Ba₃Ni₃O₈

Ba₂Ni₂O₅

BaNiO₂ which may be also written as: BaNiO₃

BaNiO_(2.75)

BaNiO_(2.67)

BaNiO_(2.5)

BaNiO₂ The structures of the three intermediates were not determined although they were reported to be hexagonal or nearly hexagonal similar to the symmetry of BaNiO₃. The sequence from left to right may be brought about by increasing the temperatures during synthesis or post treatments at constant oxygen pressure which indicates a tendency to lose oxygen by dissociation.

In the opposite direction the sequence showed oxidation of the nickel from Ni²⁺ to Ni³⁺ to Ni⁴⁺ including mix-valence compounds as the synthesis temperature decreases.

Important points noted by the various authors and found out presently are:

-   -   All the intermediates exhibit hexagonal or nearly hexagonal         symmetry and have almost identical hexagonal unit cells when         viewed on the c direction with the barium ions in a hexagonal         closed-packed arrangement like that observed in BaNiO₃.     -   The five member sequence may be represented by the formula         BaNiO_(2+y) (0≦y≦1).     -   The members of the sequence for example 0≦y≦0.9 are precursors         to BaNiO₃.     -   Single crystals of BaNiO₂ were easily grown in a molten BaCl₂         flux at about 1000° C. in nitrogen.     -   BaNiO₃ can be prepared by reacting:         -   A. BaO₂ and NiO quantitatively in an atmosphere of wet O₂ at             450-700° C. to form the crystal structure of BaNiO₃ but             achieving only 98% oxidation. Beyond about 730° C. oxygen             dissociation takes place.         -   B. Ba(OH)₂ with NiO in a wet atmosphere of O₂ at about             700° C. to form the crystal structure of BaNiO₃ but             achieving only 90% oxidation.     -   Takeda et al. (1976) proceeded to react BaCO₃ with NiO in air at         1100° C. for 48 hours to form an intermediate that was most         likely a member of the Lander et al. sequence of the general         formula BaNiO_(2+y). The chemical analysis of this product was         not reported nor was any XRD data given. It was obviously a         precursor because subsequent annealing at 600° C. in pure oxygen         at an absolute pressure of 2000 bars formed the product BaNiO₃.

The resulting polycrystalline powder was converted into single crystals using a Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O flux at 600° C. under an absolute oxygen pressure of 2000 bars. A single crystal was used to determine the highly refined crystal structure of BaNiO₃. A picnometer determination of its density gave 6.10 g/cm³ which corresponds to a composition of BaNiO_(2.99) and a nickel valence of +3.98. The data of Lander and Takeda et al. are given in Table II. TABLE II X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA OF BARIUM NICKELATE Authors (Date) Lander (1951). Takeda (1976). Nature of Sample Polycrystalline Single Crystal Symmetry Hexagonal Hexagonal Space Group P6₃/mc P6₃/mmc a₀ (Å)  5.580  5.629 c₀ (Å)  4.832  4.811 Calc. Density (g/cm³)  6.22  6.13 Exper. Density (g/cm³) —  6.10 Z  2  2 Calc. Volume (Å)³ 130.29 132.02

The most significant findings reported by Lander and Takeda et al. on BaNiO₃ were:

-   -   The octahedral coordination of oxygen around nickel.     -   The unusual arrangement of the nickel-oxygen octahedra which are         stacked in columns or chains along the c axis sharing facets as         shown in FIG. 1A.     -   All nickel-oxygen bonds are highly covalent and the composition         of each octahedron is —[NiO_(6/2)]— or —[NiO₃]—.     -   The nickel exhibits its highest valence (+4) or virtually so and         the charge of each octahedron is −2 or virtually so.     -   The chains run the full length of crystallites or single         crystals along the c axis. They are called polyacids by Takeda         (1976). The term macroanions is preferred in the present         disclosure.     -   The electrical charge of the macroanions or chains is         neutralized by one Ba²⁺ per octahedron, as shown in FIG. 1B.     -   Hexagonal symmetry with space group P6₃/mmc as shown in the unit         cell representation given in FIG. 2 that gives five sections at         regular intervals along the c axis.     -   An important feature of the structure that may be calculated         from the detailed results given by Takeda et al. is the         separation of the chains (5.629 Å axis to axis). Furthermore, it         can be calculated that the oxygen to oxygen distance between         nearest oxygen atoms from adjacent chains is too large for         orbital overlap or mixing.         2.3. Related Crystal Structures

Table III in FIG. 3 shows the XRD data of barium nickelate (Takeda et al 1976).

Acta Crystallogr., Sec. B, 32, 2464 (1976)); barium cobaltate (Takeda et al. JINCAO; 34, 1599; 1972), and strontium nickelate (Tagushi, H. et al., Acta Crystallogr., Sec. B, 33, 1298 (1977)). The three crystalline phases are isostructural, hexagonal, (with space group P6₃/mmc) showing only minor differences in their unit cell parameters.

All these crystalline phases with different transition metals and ionic cations constitute the starting parent materials from which several series of doped product can be prepared.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The overall objective of this invention is the synthesis of one-dimensional oxide superconductors based on transition metals other than copper.

It is a further object of this invention to prepare:

-   -   1. One-dimensional superconductors comprising linear, parallel,         covalent chains of transition metal oxides held together by         highly ionic cations. The superconductors exhibit hexagonal         crystalline symmetry.     -   2. Polycrystalline powders, compacts and dense bodies, of object         1.     -   3. Single crystals from the superconductors of objects 1 or 2.     -   4. Polycrystalline precursors to objects 1 and 2.

It is a further object of this invention to develop methods of preparation for the materials, described in objects 1 through 4.

These and further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broadest aspect, the new compositions of this invention are one-dimensional, ceramic oxide, crystalline superconductors comprising parallel, highly covalent chains or macroanions consisting of octahedrally coordinated oxygen around the transition metals that exhibit their highest formal valence. The chains or macroanions are held together by highly ionic, bulky cations of Group 2 (main cation) and Group 1 (doping cation) of the Periodic Table and these single valence bulky cations are capable of inducing the formation of electrical carriers (holes) within these chains or macroanions.

-   1. Compositions and methods for making.     -   A crystalline superconducting composition is made having the         formula         M²⁺ _((1-x))M⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ)  Formula 3     -   where         -   M²⁺ is a main cation of Group 2 of the Periodic Table,         -   M¹⁺ is a doping cation of Group 1 of the Periodic Table,         -   M^(T) is the transition metal Ni or Co,         -   0.04<x≦0.30,         -   0≦δ≦0.20, and         -   having hexagonal symmetry, preferably with space group             P6₃/mmc. M²⁺ is preferably Ba²⁺ or Sr²⁺; M¹⁺ is preferably             K¹⁺, Na¹⁺, or Rb¹⁺; x is preferably 0.05≦x≦0.20; and         -   δ is preferably 0≦δ≦0.10. -   2. The superconductor compositions may be prepared by two general     methods. -   2.1 A direct method in which:     -   Oxides or hydroxides of M²⁺ and M¹⁺ are mixed together with         oxides of M^(T) in the desired metals proportions and heated         under flowing oxygen to a temperature not to exceed about         700° C. such as for example: -   2.1.1 The hydroxides of the two metals M²⁺ and M¹⁺ are reacted with     an oxide of the transition metal M^(T) under an oxygen atmosphere at     about 600° to 700° C. -   2.1.2 The peroxides of the two metals M²⁺ and M¹⁺ are reacted with     an oxide of the transition metal M^(T) under an oxygen atmosphere at     temperatures ranging from about 450° C. to about 700° C. -   2.1.3 Synthesis Using M²⁺ Peroxides and M¹⁺ Superoxides.     -   The most desirable direct methods of preparation are those in         which all the reactants possess the highest atomic oxygen to         metal ratio such as M^(T) ₂O₃, M²⁺O₂ and M¹⁺O₂. These reactants         possess more than the stoichiometric requirements of oxygen         needed to oxidize the transition metal to +4 while bringing very         favorable low melting points that facilitate complete reaction         at low temperatures. -   2.2 The two-step method starts with the preparation of a precursor     with the composition:     M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y)  Formula 4     -   where M²⁺, M¹⁺, M^(T) and x are defined in Formula 3, and         0≦y<0.90. In essence the precursors are prepared from compounds         M²⁺, M¹⁺, M^(T) that yield the oxides such as, for example, the         carbonates or mixtures of the carbonates with oxides at high         temperatures in air or oxygen.     -   The precursors exhibit hexagonal or nearly hexagonal symmetry.         They may be oxidized to the highest attainable valence of the         transition metal M^(T) to prepare the superconductor composition         under very high absolute pressures of oxygen and at temperatures         greater than about 500° C.     -   In the two step method the precursor composition of the Formula         4         M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y)     -   may be made by mixing compounds, other than oxides, of the three         metallic reactants M²⁺, M¹⁺, and M^(T) in the required         proportions and thermally treating the mixture in flowing air or         oxygen at sufficient temperature to decompose and oxidize if         necessary the compounds to obtain the oxides and react them to         form the precursor compositions that often exhibit hexagonal         symmetry. -   3. Preparation of Single Crystals of the Superconductors.     -   The superconducting compositions may be prepared as single         crystals from polycrystalline superconducting powders of the         Formula 3 using a flux of M²⁺(OH)₂.8H₂O and M¹⁺OH at very high         absolute pressures of oxygen at temperatures greater than 500°         C. -   4. Crystal Structure     -   The crystal symmetry of the superconductors is hexagonal         preferably with space group P6₃/mmc. The symmetry of any of the         materials of this class is the same as the symmetry of their         parent material. However, the unit cell edges will likely be         somewhat different. The difference will be small because of the         relative low doping levels used to achieve electrical         conductivity. -   5. Electrical Conductivity     -   For x=0 the materials are virtually electrical insulators. For         values of x greater than about 0.04 to about 0.05 the materials         become conductors and in the range of x of 0.05 or higher there         is a conductivity transition to hole type superconductors.     -   The holes travel within highly covalent, tubular-like         macroanions of about 0.5 nanometers in diameter. They run         parallel to the c crystal axis and because the nearest distance         between adjacent macroanions is too large for orbital overlap,         these crystalline products are one-dimensional superconductors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows two geometric illustrations. FIG. 1A displays a linear macroanion of facet-linked octahedra that runs parallel to the c axis and FIG. 1B displays the chain or macroanion with surrounding cations.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of five sections of the hexagonal crystal structure of the parent material barium nickelate viewed at uniform intervals along to the c axis. In general it is also the representation of the doped products of the instant invention when some of the main cations are replaced by doping cations.

FIG. 3 shows Table III of x-ray diffraction data (XRD) of the parent materials BaNiO₃ (Takeda, 1976), BaCoO₃ (Taguchi et al, 1977) and SrNiO₃ (Takeda et al 1972), that show the isostructural nature of these parent materials. Those XRD data are also representative of the crystalline symmetry of the isostructural, doped descendants.

FIG. 4 depicts four aligned XRD patterns of the materials prepared in Examples 1, 2, 3 and 4 showing them to be isostructural. The graphical data are supplemented by Table IV that provides numerical data of the strongest diffraction peaks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1. Composition and Crystal Structure

The general compositions of the hole-type conductors or superconductors of this invention given by Formula 3 may be specifically illustrated by substituting M²⁺ by Ba²⁺, M¹⁺ by K¹⁺ and M^(T) by Ni. The resulting series of materials becomes: Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO_(3-δ)  Formula 5

-   -    one each for each selected value of x and degree of oxidation.

In Formula 5 nickel most preferably exhibits its higher formal oxidation state of +4 but may exhibit a valence of +3.90±0.10. It is covalently and strongly bonded octahedrally to oxygen. The octahedra form continuous chains by sharing opposite facets with adjacent octahedra. The composition of each octahedron is [NiO_(6/2)] or [NiO₃]. The net charge of each octahedron is −2. A continuous chain of octahedra may be called a polyacid or preferably a macroanion. The nickel is, of course, located inside of the cylindrical sheath formed by the oxygen which is on the outside. The structure of such macroanions is illustrated in FIG. 1A.

The macroanions are aligned in a parallel array and held together by the coulombic forces of the external cations. In this case by the main cation Ba²⁺ and the doping cation K¹⁺ as depicted symbolically in FIG. 1B. The sum of the doping cation (potassium) and the main cation (barium) per formula unit is 1. The holding cations are aligned parallel to the macroanions or chains forming the overall crystal structure that exhibits hexagonal symmetry.

FIG. 2 gives five sections along the c axis of the unit cell of the parent material barium nickelate that exhibits the same symmetry as the new compositions given by formula 5 so long as the doping level is relatively low such as 0<x≦0.30.

In the sequence of compositions obtainable as a function of x, the materials will undergo electrical conductivity transitions from insulator to conductors to superconductors.

Other doping cations may be used provided that they are highly ionic, have a large ionic radius and belong to Group 1 of the Periodic Table, such as for example sodium and rubidium. Potassium is preferred because its ionic radius is very close to the ionic radius of the main cation barium. The substitution of potassium for barium causes only very minor changes in unit cell parameters, but does not change the crystal symmetry.

The oxygen level per formula unit will depend on the specific method of preparation. Optimally, it will be 3 which corresponds to a nickel valence of +4 and δ of 0, if the annealing step in oxygen is carried out at very high absolute oxygen pressures such as 2,000 bars, using high temperatures (ca. 600° C.) for long periods of time such as, for example, 48 hours. At lower oxygen pressures the material may show increased values of δ.

If the value of δ is relatively high such as for example greater than 0.20 the crystal structure may begin to exhibit oxygen vacancies or become unstable and change to other crystal phases causing harmful effects. A slight deficiency of oxygen will not cause a change in crystal symmetry. However, oxygen vacancies may affect electrical conductivity and prevent the transition to superconductivity.

2. Synthesis

As described earlier in Section 1 of the Summary of the Invention, the preparation of the materials of the instant invention may be carried out using two main methods. The direct method and the two-step methods involving precursors.

2.1 The Direct Method

Oxides or hydroxides of M²⁺ and M¹⁺ are mixed together with oxides of M^(T) in the desired metals proportions and heated under flowing wet oxygen to a temperature not to exceed 700° C. such as for example:

2.1.1 Synthesis Using M²⁺ and M¹⁺ Hydroxides

A direct method may use the hydroxides of M²⁺ and M¹⁺. An illustrative example using Ba(OH)₂, KOH and NiO in flowing wet oxygen is shown next: (1-x)Ba(OH)₂ +xKOH+NiO+Wet Oxygen→→Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO_((3-δ))  Equation 1

Wet oxygen as used above is dry oxygen which has been bubbled through ambient temperature water. These reactants are not very difficult to handle and excel because they exhibit very low m.p. [78° C. for Ba(OH)₂ and 360° C. for KOH]. The difficulty with hydroxides lies in the fact that they do not intrinsically posses any oxidation power and the required oxygen must be provided by the flowing wet oxygen. After about 24 hours at a temperature up to about 600° C. under a flow of wet oxygen the flow is changed to pure dry oxygen. This method tends to fall somewhat short regarding the degree of oxidation of the transition metal. It is very difficult to reach a valence of +4 unless other means of oxidation are used such as, for example, the use of high oxygen pressure, or starting with a higher transition metal oxide like Ni₂O₃.

2.1.2 Synthesis Using M²⁺ and M¹⁺ Peroxides.

The preparation involving the use of M²⁺ and M¹⁺ peroxides is somewhat difficult to implement because the peroxides such as BaO₂, SrO₂, K₂O₂, Na₂O₂, etc. are not always fully reliable regarding stoichiometry, stability in air (H₂O and CO₂) and purity. Thus, much care must be exercised in the selection of reactants, in their handling and in the procedures used. They require special attention, techniques and equipment. However, they posses unique properties which facilitate the preparation of the target compositions. For example the m.p. of BaO₂ is 450° C. while the m.p. of BaO is 1918° C. In general the m.p. difference between monoxides and peroxides applies also to the other M²⁺ peroxides. The peroxides of M¹⁺ such as for example sodium, potassium, rubidium, etc. also exhibit relatively low m.p. In short, all the peroxides exhibit very strong oxidation power (particularly in the presence of water vapor), provide high alkalinity and posses much lower melting points than the corresponding monoxides, all of which is desirable.

The following reaction illustrates the preparation of Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO_(3-δ) using peroxides. (1-x)BaO₂+0.5xK₂O₂+NiO+Wet Oxygen→Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO_(3-δ)  Eq. 2

Note that the only refractory material in the reaction is NiO with a m.p. of 1984° C. However, upon heating BaO₂ melts at 450° C. which provides a fluid medium together with K₂O₂ to rapidly mix and react with the solid NiO particles and oxidize the Ni²⁺ to Ni³⁺ and eventually Ni⁴⁺ or virtually so.

The reaction mixtures that exhibit a pale green color before heating turn rapidly black when the temperature reaches about 450° C., the melting point of the peroxide BaO₂.

The reaction rate increases as the temperature is increased. However, it is important to apply the heat slowly and uniformly toward the target temperature and it is imperative to avoid excessive temperatures to prevent oxygen loss by dissociation. In general a temperature limit of about 700° C. should be set to prevent the loss of oxygen and the concurrent increase of the value of δ.

The use of transition metal oxides with higher valence than +2, such as for example CO₂O₃, will provide additional oxygen from within the reactants. Finally, the use of high oxygen pressure (P) such as 1 bar≦P≦3 bars will tend to reduce the loss of oxygen.

2.1.3 Synthesis Using M²⁺ Peroxides and M¹⁺ Superoxides.

In this method the peroxides of the main imetals (M²⁺) and the superoxides of the doping metals (M¹⁺) are reacted with an oxide of the transition metal M^(T) under an atmosphere of wet oxygen at temperatures ranging from about 450° C. to about 700° C. for a period of 24 to 48 hours. The ideal reaction may be represented by Equation 3 (1-x)BaO₂ +xKO₂+NiO+Wet Oxygen→Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO₃  Eq. 3

Note that the high concentration of oxygen in the potassium superoxide provides with the other reactants the stoichiometric requirements to achieve a valence of +4 for the nickel and a value of zero for δ. This is true for any doping level (x) and also for any other compositions of doped parents such as the nickelates and cobaltates in which the sources of M²⁺(BaO₂ and SrO₂) and the sources of M¹⁺ (NaO₂, KO₂, RbO₂) exhibit relatively low melting points.

Furthermore, when the M²⁺ peroxides with relatively low melting points and the M¹⁺ superoxides also with relatively low melting are reacted with the higher oxides of M^(T) such as Ni₂O₃ or CO₂O₃, all with melting points about half those of the corresponding monoxides, gives the best overall combination of reactants due to the highest concentration of oxygen obtainable from within the reactants and their significant lower melting points.

Equation 4 illustrates an optimal reaction: 0.5CO₂O₃ (mp 895°)+(1-x)BaO₂ (mp 450°)+xKO₂ (mp 380°)→Ba_((1-x))K_(x)CoO₃+Excess Oxygen  Eq. 4

Another similar reaction may use CO₃O₄ (mp ˜900° C.).

2.1.4 Synopsis of the Direct Methods of Synthesis

In order to illustrate the importance of using high oxygen to metal ratios, coupled with low melting points, Table IV is presented followed by an explanation of the effects based on the use of compounds with the two extreme oxygen to metal ratios. TABLE IV Atomic Group 2 Metal Oxygen Transition Metal Oxides Group 1 Metal to Metal Oxides For- Oxides Ratio Formula MP-° C. mula MP-° C. Formula MP-° C. Minimum NiO 1984 BaO 1918 Na₂O ˜1132 Maximum Ni₂O₃ ˜600 BaO₂ 450 NaO₂ 552 Minimum CoO 1830 SrO 2531 K₂O 350 d. Maximum Co₂O₃ 895 SrO₂ 215 d. KO₂ 380 Minimum Rb₂O 350 d. Maximum RbO₂ 412

Any combination of reactants involving the monoxides of the metals M^(T) and M²⁺ that exhibit the minimum oxygen to metal atomic ratios, will require the use of very high temperatures to achieve complete reaction because of their very high melting points.

The very high temperature will prevent the formation of the target compositions that are known to loose O₂ by dissociation starting at about 700° to about 800° C. unless extremely high oxygen pressures are used.

In contrast to the use of monoxides, the use of higher oxides of M^(T) (such as M^(T) ₂O₃) with peroxides of M²⁺(such as M²⁺O₂) and the superoxides of the doping M¹⁺ (such as M¹⁺ O₂) will be achieved at much lower temperatures such as about 500° C. to about 700° C. with the concomitant effects of providing or exceeding the stoichiometric oxygen requirement of the reactions while preventing O₂ loss by dissociation. A typical reaction is represented by Equation 5. 0.5Ni₂O₃+(1-x)BaO₂ +xKO₂+Oxygen→Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO₃  Eq. 5 2.2 The Two Step Method 2.2.1 Preparation of Precursors

In principle the simplest and general method is to mix the oxides M^(T)O, M²⁺O and M¹⁺O in the desired proportions and heat them in air or preferably oxygen, at temperatures greater than about 900° C. The temperature required for this step may be on occasion quite high such as, for example, greater than 1000° C. because the reaction takes place in the solid state among mainly very refractory oxides such as, for example, BaO (m.p.=1918° C.) and NiO (m.p.=1984° C.).

A more general approach is to start with compounds that are stable and can provide upon heating the desired oxide mix through thermal decomposition, oxidation, dehydration, combustion, etc. or combinations thereof. For example, dry carbonates may be mixed and thermally decomposed; the oxalates may be oxidized/decomposed to form the oxides; the hydroxides or hydroxide hydrates such as Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O, may be thermally dehydrated to make the desired mix; etc.

From a stoichiometry point of view, the use of high purity, dry carbonates of the main and doping cations and anhydrous monoxides of the transition metals provides a set of good starting materials. They are readily available in high purity form, may be easily dried without decomposition and allow for accurate weighing and safe handling. The preferred two step method of preparation involves mixing thoroughly the three mentioned metal compounds in the desired proportions. The mixed powder is then heated in air or oxygen at sufficient temperature and time to achieve decomposition of any carbonates into CO₂ and the corresponding metal oxides and the reaction of the oxides to form the desired crystalline precursor as shown in Formula 6.

The reaction requires very high temperature (in excess of 1000° C.) to decompose the carbonates and then to complete the solid-solid reaction between the highly refractory oxides with melting points approaching 2000° C. The presence of small amounts of Group 1 oxide tends to facilitate the reaction because of the relatively low m.p. of the M¹⁺ ₂O.

The reaction may be represented by the following equation: M^(T)O+(1-x)M²⁺CO₃+0.5xM¹⁺ ₂CO₃+Flowing Air or Oxygen→→M²⁺ _((1-z))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y)+(1−0.5x)CO₂  Equation 6. Specifically, to prepare the precursor Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(2+y), Equation 6 becomes: NiO+0.90BaCO₃+0.05K₂CO₃+Flowing Air or Oxygen→→Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(2+y)+0.95CO₂  Equation 7. The procedure is completed after the fired materials are cooled and the precursors recovered and kept in a dry and sealed container.

The transition metal in the precursors will not remain divalent because of the oxidation brought about by air or oxygen during firing at temperatures in excess of 1000° C. The nickel valence becomes a function of y and will change to a value between +2 and +4 depending on the temperature and oxygen pressure used.

2.2.2 The Precursor Oxidation

Once the precursors M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y) are obtained in powder form they may be oxidized to M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ) using very high absolute pressures of oxygen, such as, for example, 1000 to 2000 bars, at high temperatures, such as, for example, 500° C. to 700° C., for sufficient periods of time, such as, for example, 48 hours to allow for oxygen diffusion into and throughout the crystal structure. Preferred absolute pressures of oxygen are greater than 1500 bars and preferably temperatures from 500° to 600° C. In this manner polycrystalline powders of the superconductors may be obtained from polycrystalline powders of the precursors.

The reaction may be represented by: M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y)+Oxygen→M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ)  Equation 8. 2.3 Preparation of Single Crystal Superconductors from Polycrystalline Powders.

Polycrystalline powders of the superconductors may be converted to single crystals through the use of an appropriate low melting flux. The flux may be prepared from Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O (m.p. of about 78° C.) or Sr(OH)₂.8H₂O (m.p. of about 100° C.) and the corresponding hydroxide of the dopant of Group 1 from the Periodic Table such as NaOH (m.p. about 318° C.), KOH (m.p. about 360° C.), RbOH (m.p. about 301° C.), etc. Both the superconductive polycrystalline powder and the binary flux are placed within a tubular crystallizer made of an inert material such as, for example, gold. The binary mix of hydroxides will loose some water as they begin to melt and are heated above about 500° C. The resulting flux must comprise M²⁺ and M¹⁺ in the right proportions (to achieve equilibrium of the cations between the solid and the flux). The flux will be used in the range of 600°±100° C., under absolute oxygen pressures of about 1000 to 2000 bars for periods of 24 to 48 hours. The formation of single crystals is facilitated by the use of a thermal gradient or temperature differential, for example, 5° C. or larger per cm along the length of the tubular crystallizer.

The following factors should be taken into account for a successful execution:

-   -   The ingredients of the flux must not react chemically with the         powder product, but should dissolve it in very small amounts to         readily reach saturation.     -   The solubility of the powder while very small should increase         with temperature.     -   Preferably a tubular, inert crystallizer or capsule should be         used for the conversion of polycrystalline powders to single         crystals.     -   The mixed solid ingredients of the flux should be placed along         the capsule length. The polycrystalline superconductor should be         placed at one of the ends. A pressurized oxygen atmosphere         should be established above the solids before starting heating.     -   Gradual heating should begin and the temperature slowly         increased until complete melting of the flux ingredients takes         place. Some time should be allowed to equilibrate the system.     -   Preferably a thermal gradient along the length of the capsule         should be created and maintained such as, for example, 10° C.         per cm to obtain large crystals of the order of abut 1 mm in         diameter and about 4 mm in length.     -   After sufficient time the system should be quenched and the         single crystals separated from the flux and recovered.         3. Characterization.         4. Chemical analyses and Powder X-ray diffraction are essential         determinations to confirm the composition and crystal structure         of the desired products (precursors and superconductors). In         some cases the transition metal valence should be determined by         titration as shown in Examples 11 to 16. However, for         superconductors the most important determinations are those         relating to superconductivity.         4.1 Resistivity and Critical Temperature.

The determination of electrical resistivity may be carried out with pressed polycrystalline compacts or single crystals by any of several well known methods such as, for example, the four-point probe method or the two-point probe method. Both of these methods are described in Section 20, page 4 of the second edition of “The Handbook of Semiconductor Electronics” by Lloyd P. Hunter published by McGraw Hill in 1962. For example, in the case of the four point probe, the measuring probe and the sample may be located inside of a container capable of being cooled by an appropriate coolant such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium to extremely low temperatures. The temperature of the system may be measured by means of a thermocouple or thermistor located next to the sample. A series of resistance measurements can be made as the temperature is decreased or heated. The plot of resistivity versus temperature of a superconductive material will reveal a sharp decrease in resistivity down to zero as the temperature reaches the critical temperature. It will remain at that level at all temperatures below T_(c). The break in resistivity versus temperature plot may be observed on heating as well as on cooling procedures. Pure superconductive crystalline phases will show a very sharp break in the plot, while mixtures of superconductors and other materials will show gradual breaks in the plot.

4.2 The Meissner Effect.

The Meissner Effect is based on the property of a pure superconductor to be a perfect diamagnet. Thus when a superconductor reaches the critical temperature all magnetic flux (lines of force) will be excluded from the superconductor. This property may be established by making magnetization (magnetic susceptibility) measurements on a known weight of material in a known magnetic field. The determinations should be made, as in the case of the resistivity as a function of temperature on a cooling and a heating succession. In this manner the data will confirm the value of the critical temperature obtained from resistivity determinations and also provide the fraction of the superconducting phase within the sample.

The determination of the Meissner effect may be done following the method described in the 2nd. Edition of “Superconductivity” by D. Shoenberg in pages 18-19 published by Cambridge University Press. New York (1965).

Having described the basic aspects of the invention, the following examples are given to illustrate specific embodiments thereof.

EXAMPLES 1 (REFERENCE), 2, 3 AND 4

The series of four examples that follows was carried out to obtain important information on the preparation and properties of three precursors comprising nickel oxide, barium oxide and different levels of potassium oxide as represented by Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO_(2+y).

The first example was BaNiO_(2+y). It contained no potassium, thus x=0 and virtually corresponds to the Takeda (1976) precursor. It provides the reference base line for the three potassium doped materials that exhibited compositions of:

-   Example 2 Ba_(0.95)K_(0.05)NiO_(2+y) (x=0.05), -   Example 3 Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(2+y) (x=0.10) and -   Example 4 Ba_(0.85)K_(0.15)NiO_(2+y) (x=0.15).

They were prepared using the Aldrich Chemicals of high purity listed next: Chemical Designation % Purity: NiO (20,388-2) 99.99 BaCO₃ (32,943-6) 99.98 K₂CO₃ (46,781-2) 99.99 These chemicals were mixed in the following proportions. Example 1 (x=0)

-   1.3990 g (18.73 mmol) of NiO were thoroughly mixed with -   3.6965 g (18.73 mmol) of BaCO₃ and charged to a crucible.     Example 2 (x=0.05) -   1.4938 g (20.00 mmol) of NiO were thoroughly mixed with -   3.7496 g (19.00 mmol) of BaCO₃, and -   0.0691 g (0.50 mmol) of K₂CO₃, and charged to a crucible.     Example 3 (x=0.10) -   1.4938 g (20.00 mmol) of NiO were thoroughly mixed with -   3.5523 g (18.00 mmol) of BaCO₃, and -   0.1382 g (1.00 mmol) of K₂CO₃, and charged to a crucible.     Example 4 (x=0.15) -   1.4938 g (20.00 mmol) of NiO were thoroughly mixed with -   3.3549 g (17.00 mmol) of BaCO₃, and -   0.2073 g (1.50 mmol) of K₂CO₃, and charged to a crucible.

All the powder mixtures had a pale green color. They were heated in air at 1066° C. for 48 hours, cooled, ground to a fine powder and placed in glass vials for safe keeping and later use. After heating all the materials were black.

The products were then examined by the powder X-ray diffraction method, in the (20) range of 10° to 100°, using copper Ka radiation. The angular scanning rate used was 50 determinations of absolute intensities in counts per second (PCS) per degree. The resulting patterns gave the absolute intensities (CPS) for every diffraction angle (20) in the range of 10° to 100°. The four XRD patterns obtained are shown graphically in FIG. 4. They are aligned vertically using a common (28) abcissa in FIG. 4 to facilitate direct visual comparisons. The graphical aligned XRD patterns of FIG. 4 is supplemented with Table V that gives the d-spacings and absolute intensities of the eight strongest peaks. The d-spacings were calculated from the corresponding 20 values using Bragg's equation. TABLE V COMPARISON OF MAJOR XRD PEAKS OF FOUR PATTERNS Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 d (Å) CPS d (Å) CPS d (Å) CPS d (Å) CPS 3.258 213 3.268 296 3.260 296 3.275 234 2.844 686 2.857 1246 2.848 864 2.853 650 2.403 660 2.413 756 2.411 1892 2.413 2294 2.162 207 2.170 253 2.169 225 2.153 262 2.084 1246 2.089 1459 2.088 4502 2.089 5461 1.476 853 1.478 795 1.478 1998 1.478 2632 1.259 441 1.260 396 1.257 655 1.257 784 1.206 339 1.207 310 1.207 812 1.207 949

The data of the strongest diffraction peaks are shown in bold. Note the significant increase of intensity from Example 1 through Example 4 (1246 to 5461 CPS).

The following observations were made and conclusions drawn from these four experiments:

-   -   The substitution of barium by potassium has only a minimal         crystalline structural effect. The XRD patterns of the potassium         doped materials are virtually identical to the XRD pattern of         the undoped Example 1 material, regarding the 20 location of the         peaks or the corresponding d-spacings.     -   The presence of potassium increases the interatomic distances in         the structure in an extremely small degree.     -   The four materials are isostructural. The same conclusion is         likely valid for other low levels of potassium doping in other         crystalline Ni-Ba-K-O phases.     -   The degree of crystallinity observed in the undoped material         after heating at 1066° C. for 48 hours is much lower than the         corresponding degree in the doped products. Note the intensities         of the strongest peak in each pattern that are 1246, 1459, 4502         and 5461 CPS as the potassium fraction (x) increases from 0 to         0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 respectively. In contrast to the minimal         effect, if any, in peak position, the presence of potassium         brings about major increases in intensity.     -   It is apparent that the non-refractory K₂O greatly affects the         degree of crystallization that increases by a factor of over 4         in the range studied. This is an important finding because other         alkali metal oxides will likely have the same effect in similar         compositions.     -   None of the four XRD patterns could be indexed as BaNiO₂ or         BaNiO₃ which are the well known crystalline phases published by         Lander and Lander and Wooten in 1951. The XRD patterns         correspond to precursor compositions given by the formula         Ba_((1-x))K_(x)NiO_(2+y). In this respect they parallel the         oxidation-reduction sequence         BaNiO₃         BaNiO_(2.75)         BaNiO_(2.67)         BaNiO_(2.5)         BaNiO₂         given in the “Description of the Previously Published Art” in         Section 2.2 for the BaO-NiO system.

EXAMPLE 5

The precursor Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(2+y) prepared in Example 3 is heated at 900° C. under flowing nitrogen with a trace of oxygen for 24 hours. The resulting material is quenched to ambient temperature. A small amount of the crystalline product is examined by x-ray diffraction and indexed. It is found to exhibit orthorhombic symmetry and is isostructural with BaNiO₂ as identified in Table I. The balance of the material is placed and kept sealed for future use.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 5 is repeated in every respect except that flowing wet oxygen is used during the heating step The resulting crystalline product is not crystallographically isostructural with Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10) NiO₂, but corresponds to an intermediate Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(2+y) in which y is larger than in Example 5 because of extra oxygen.

EXAMPLE 7 (REFERENCE)

The polycrystalline BaNiO_(2+y) precursor prepared in Example 1 is annealed at 600° C. under an oxygen pressure of 2000 bars for a period of 48 hours to achieve oxidation of the nickel to +4 through the increase of oxygen contents. The recovered product exhibits a hexagonal powder XRD which corresponds to BaNiO₃ as reported by Takeda et al. (1976). The unit cell edges are about a₀=5.63 Å and c₀=4.81 Å.

EXAMPLE 8

The polycrystalline Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(2+y) precursor prepared in Examples 3, is annealed at 600° C. under a high oxygen pressure of 2000 bars for a period of 48 hours to achieve oxidation of the nickel to virtually +4 through the increase of oxygen contents. The recovered products exhibits a hexagonal powder XRD pattern that shows the product to be isostructural with BaNiO₃ prepared in Example 7 with unit cell edges of about a₀=5.6 Å and about c₀=4.8 Å. The product corresponds crystallographically to polycrystalline Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(3-δ).

EXAMPLE 9

A mixture of Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O, KOH and the polycrystalline powder prepared in Example 7 with a composition of Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(3-δ) is placed in a gold cylindrical tube or capsule with an open end. The mixture exhibits the following approximate molar proportions: 7 Ba(OH)₂.8H₂₀ to 3 KOH to 3 Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(3-δ). The capsule and its contents is flushed with pure oxygen until free of other gas, pressurized to about 1000 bars with oxygen and heated to about 400° C. From this point on the temperature and oxygen pressure are increased gradually to 600° C. and 2000 bars. These conditions are maintained for 48 hours. Then while maintaining the oxygen pressure the capsule and its contents are cooled to room temperature and then depressurized. The contents are washed with water which dissolves the Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O and KOH, but does not dissolve the resulting small single crystals of barium potassium nickelate.

EXAMPLE 10

Large single crystals of about 1 mm in diameter and about 4 mm in length grow at the cooler end of the capsule when Example 9 is repeated imposing a thermal gradient of 10° C. per cm along the length of the gold tube or capsule.

EXAMPLE 11

Polycrystalline Ba_(0.90)K_(0.10)NiO_(3-δ) is prepared by reacting 100 mmoles of NiO with a mixture of 90 mmoles of BaO₂ and 5 mmoles of K₂O₂ at 600° C. under flowing wet oxygen at a pressure of 1 bar for a period of 48 hours. The reaction mixture has a light green color that becomes black starting at about 430° C. indicating the beginning of nickel oxidation. The final product is black. The nickel valence is determined by quantitatively dissolving a known weight of the final black product in dilute hydrochloric acid containing potassium iodide and titrating the liberated iodine with a solution of sodium thiosulfate of known assay. The nickel valence falls in the range of 3.95±0.04.

EXAMPLE 12

Example 11 is repeated in every respect except that the reaction temperature is increased to 700° C., the flowing wet oxygen pressure is increased to 2 bars and the reaction time is reduced to a period of 24 hours. The nickel valence falls in the range of 3.94±0.04.

EXAMPLE 13

Polycrystalline Sr_(0.09)Na_(0.10)CoO_(3-δ) is prepared by reacting 50 millimoles of CO₂O₃ with a mixture of 90 mmoles of SrO₂ and 5 mmoles of Na₂O₂ at 600° C. under flowing wet oxygen at a pressure of 2 bars for a period of 48 hours. The reaction mixture has a gray color that becomes darker starting at about 350° C. indicating the beginning of additional cobalt oxidation. The final product is black. The product exhibits hexagonal symmetry. The cobalt valence is determined by dissolving a known weight of the final black product in dilute hydrochloric acid containing potassium iodide and titrating the liberated iodine with a solution of sodium thiosulfate of known assay. The cobalt valence falls in the range of 3.96±0.04.

EXAMPLE 14

Polycrystalline Ba_(0.85)K_(0.15)NiO_(3-δ) is prepared by reacting 100 millimoles of NiO with a mixture of 85 mmoles of Ba(OH)₂ and 15 mmoles of KOH at 600° C. under flowing wet oxygen at a pressure of 2 bars for a period of 48 hours. The initial light green color turns to black at about 430° C. After the first heating phase the water in the flowing gas is eliminated and the reaction is allowed to continue for another 24 hours. The final product is black. The product exhibits hexagonal symmetry. The nickel valence is determined by quantitatively dissolving a known weight of the final black product in dilute hydrochloric acid containing potassium iodide and titrating the liberated iodine with a solution of sodium thiosulfate of known assay. The nickel valence falls in the range of 3.90±0.05.

EXAMPLE 15

Polycrystalline Ba_(0.90)Ko_(0.10)NiO_(3-δ) is prepared by reacting 50 millimoles of Ni₂O₃ with a mixture of 90 mmoles of BaO₂ and 10 mmoles of KO₂ at 600° C. under flowing wet oxygen at atmospheric pressure for a period of 48 hours. The reaction mixture has a gray color that becomes black starting at about 430° C. indicating the beginning of additional nickel oxidation. The final product is black. The product exhibits hexagonal symmetry. The nickel valence is determined by dissolving a known weight of the final black product in dilute hydrochloric acid containing potassium iodide and titrating the liberated iodine with a solution of sodium thiosulfate of known assay. The cobalt valence falls in the range of 3.96±0.04.

EXAMPLE 16

Polycrystalline Sr_(0.90)Na_(0.10)CoO_(3-δ) is prepared by reacting 20 millimoles of CO₃O₄ with a mixture of 54 mmoles of SrO₂ and 6 mmoles of NaO₂ at 600° C. under flowing wet oxygen at atmospheric pressure for a period of 48 hours. The reaction mixture has a light gray color that becomes darker starting at about 430° C. indicating the beginning of additional cobalt oxidation. The final product is black and exhibits hexagonal symmetry. The cobalt valence is determined by dissolving a known weight of the final black product in dilute hydrochloric acid containing potassium iodide and titrating the liberated iodine with a solution of sodium thiosulfate of known assay. The cobalt valence falls in the range of 3.95±0.04.

It is understood that the foregoing detailed descriptions are given merely by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of this invention. 

1. A crystalline superconducting composition having the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ) where M²⁺ is a cation of Group 2 of the Periodic Table, M¹⁺ is a cation of Group 1 of the Periodic Table, M^(T) is the transition metal Ni or Co, 0.04<x≦0.30, 0≦δ≦0.20, and having hexagonal symmetry.
 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein 0≦δ≦0.10.
 3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the hexagonal symmetry possesses space group P6₃/mmc.
 4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein M²⁺ is Ba²⁺ or Sr²⁺.
 5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein M¹⁺ is Na¹⁺, K¹⁺, or Rb¹⁺.
 6. A composition according to claim 1, wherein 0.05<x≦0.20.
 7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the crystalline material is a single crystal.
 8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein the single crystal is larger than about 1 mm in diameter and about 4 mm in length.
 9. A composition having the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y) where M²⁺ is a cation of Group 2 of the Periodic Table, M¹⁺ is a cation of Group 1 of the Periodic Table, M^(T) is the transition metal Ni or Co, 0.04<x≦0.30, and 0≦y<0.90.
 10. A composition according to claim 9, wherein y is >0.75 and having hexagonal symmetry.
 11. A method of making a superconducting composition of the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ) according to claim 1, comprising heating metal oxides of M¹⁺ and M^(T) with the peroxides of M²⁺ in the required proportions under oxygen at temperatures ranging from about 450° C. to about 700° C.
 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the metal oxides of M¹⁺ and M^(T) are higher oxides than M¹⁺ ₂O and M^(T)O.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the reaction takes place at an absolute pressure of oxygen of about 2 bars±1 bar.
 14. A method of making a superconducting composition of the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ) according to claim 1, comprising oxidizing a composition having the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T) O_(2+y) under an absolute pressure of oxygen greater than 1000 bars and at a temperature of at least 500° C.
 15. A method of making superconducting single crystals of the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ) according to claim 1, comprising placing a polycrystalline powder of M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y) where 0≦y<0.90 next to a mixture of M²⁺(OH)₂.8H₂O and M¹⁺OH and heating the mixture to a temperature above about 450° C. to create a flux with a molar proportion which is in equilibrium at said temperature with said solid powder and at an absolute pressure of O₂ of greater than 500 bars for sufficient time to form single crystals of M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(3-δ).
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the absolute pressure of O₂ is greater than 500 bars.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein a temperature gradient of at least 5° C. per cm is maintained within the flux in contact with the polycrystalline powder.
 18. A method of making a composition of the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y) according to claim 9, comprising mixing compounds of the three reactant metals M²⁺, M¹⁺, and M^(T) in the required proportions and thermally treating the mixture in flowing air or oxygen at sufficient temperature to decompose and oxidize if necessary the compounds to form the composition of the formula M²⁺ _((1-x))M¹⁺ _(x)M^(T)O_(2+y). 